Holiday Breakfast

Retailers are hoping for a big cash injection this Boxing Day. 

Malls across the country are gearing up for a rush of customers as sales get underway. 

Last year, Dress Smart Auckland saw an 8.3% increase in foot traffic in December and Centre Manager Lauri Solecki tells Tim Beveridge there is no expectation of big growth this year, due to spending being down generally. 

But, queues are still expected as crowds hope to grab a great bargain. 

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The Royals have attended a Christmas Day church service at Sandringham. 

The private church sits on estate land, and monarchs have completed the walk from the estate house up to St Magdalene’s Church for a Christmas Day ceremony for centuries. 

King Charles was joined by Camilla, and William, Kate and their children. 

Plus, the French Champagne industry saw a $10 billion drop in the last year. Numbers were down by 27 million bottles. 

UK correspondent Enda Brady tells Tim Beveridge a turf war between large production companies and smaller family-owned vineyards has been set off over exorbitant prices of champagne bottles compared to alternative European options such as prosecco in Italy. 

And, the honeymoon period is over for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer with a challenging 2025 ahead. 

Enda Brady says Starmer will be “pinning all his hopes on the budget in November actually filtering through and making a difference.” 

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Just months after what was believed to have been the sabotage of two telecoms cables linking Sweden and Denmark, authorities in Finland say an undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia has ‘broken down’ on Christmas Day. 

Tensions in the Baltic have mounted since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

France correspondent Catherine Field tells Tim Beveridge “the fact that these sabotage events are happening so regularly now is of concern.” 

“The suspicion is that not just Russian vessels are dragging their anchor over these vital infrastructure cables, but also Chinese vessels.” 

Meanwhile, there was no Christmas respite in Ukraine.  

At least 180 missiles and drones were launched at Ukraine’s energy sector by Russia on Christmas Day. 

Western allies scrambled jets when it appeared some of those missiles had passed through NATO airspace. 

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An active summer is on offer in the Queenstown Lakes District as the alpine town transforms into an outdoor playground. 

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers tells Tim Beveridge bookings are up 6% in the area compared to last year, and airport passenger numbers are higher than pre-Covid. 

To attend every event on in the region, Mayors Lewers would be stretching himself thin with major events like Rhythm & Alps, Wanaka Rodeo and the Glenorchy Races all taking place over the holiday season. 

Athletic types may enjoy the Ruby Swim or Challenge Wanaka. 

And for those who prefer to relax with a beverage in hand, the Arrowtown Gin Festival is perfect. 

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Cook Islands have had a proposal to introduce separate passports for its citizens while retaining New Zealand citizenship rejected. 

The office of New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters says the Cook Islands can only have its own passport if it gives up NZ citizenship. 

The Cook Islands operates in free association with New Zealand, conducting its own affairs. But, New Zealand is responsible for its foreign affairs and defence, plus Cook Islanders can live, work and access healthcare here. 

International Relations Professor Robert Patman tells Tim Beveridge it is not clear how widespread the want for independence is in the Cook Islands.  

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says they need their own passport to “recognise our own people”. 

Patman says there is a concern that Prime Minister Brown is putting a good relationship with NZ in jeopardy with this initiative. 

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One of New Zealand’s largest performing arts events has been forced to scale back. 

Polyfest organisers say they were promised a boost in funding from Pacific Peoples Minister Shane Reti, and given assurances the money would come through from Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. 

When the time came, the boost was just $5000 – which Polyfest Trust Chair Steven Hargreaves tells Tim Beveridge is not an influential amount for an event that costs $2 million to put on. 

“It’s an investment in the youth. The Government have talked a lot this year about school attendance, school engagement, achievement, literacy and numeracy. Polyfest can deliver on all of those fronts.” 

Last year’s event drew 80,000 visitors with 8000 students performing. This year’s event will see a stage dropped to scale back on cost. 

The Ministry says "The Ministry remains committed to supporting Polyfest alongside other government agencies and encourages other sponsors to get behind this important event for the Pacific community in Auckland."

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An illegal tobacco operation has seen $2.5 million worth of assets seized. 

Police and Customs found 100kg of loose tobacco, 230,000 cigarettes, and 10,000 concealed tea packets at properties in Napier and Gisborne.  

Four of those involved in the operation are currently before the courts. 

Action for SmokeFree chairperson Professor Robert Beaglehole tells Tim Beveridge the number of illegal tobacco seizures is increasing. 

He says people are desperate due to high prices of tobacco through licensed outlets and illegal trade is driven by cheaper prices. 

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Westpac has made an expensive blunder – overcharging customers by $6.3 million. 

25,000 customers are affected. 

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has launched civil proceedings against the bank and both parties have agreed to resolve the matter. 

Massey University banking expert Dr Claire Matthews tells Tim Beveridge from a monetary perspective the mistake is not that big for Westpac, though may have a large impact on the customers affected. 

Matthews says this, along with recent action with Kiwibank and ANZ shows the FMA is being more proactive in its regulatory role. 

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Dominique Pelicot, who has been jailed for 20 years for drugging and inviting men to rape his then wife, Gisele Pelicot, is facing further investigation. 

French police are re-examining a 1991 murder case in Paris amid questions that Pelicot could have been a serial offender for decades. 

Meanwhile, Jeremy Clarkson says his pub venture is “chaos” with 104 beer glasses stolen in one day. 

And, Gen-Z are turning their backs on Christmas turkeys. Europe correspondent Enda Brady tells Tim Beveridge that top sellers in the UK this year are nut roasts, mushroom Wellington, and duck. 

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Four days after the deadly Christmas market attack in eastern Germany, security is back at the centre of European politics. 

Five people were killed and more than 200 injured when a car was driven into the Magdeburg market. 

Europe correspondent Catherine Field tells Tim Beveridge questions are being raised about whether more could have been done to protect the site as Christmas markets have been subject to multiple attacks in recent history. 

Plus, France is set to have a new government, 10 days after the latest Prime Minister took office pledging to put together a coalition of moderates.  

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